Blackbeard’s Castle
When the Danes fortified Charlotte Amalie, they knew they needed to use every available vantage point to watch for approaching enemy ships. They built Skytsborg Tower in 1679 to do just that. But local legend holds that sometime during his cruising of the Caribbean at the beginning of the next century, Edward Teach, or Blackbeard, took control of it. The U.S. Virgin Islands boast four National Historic Sites, and this is one of them. Walking tours begin here and can end here—it’s also a hotel. The Inn at Blackbeard’s Castle www.blackbeardscastle.com 340.776.1234
www.nps.gov 340.776.4566
Virgin Island Ecotours
Mahogany Run Golf
Tours come in many varieties. Here’s just one example: The Hassel Island Kayak-Hike-Snorkel Tour begins in Charlotte Amalie Harbor and paddles toward Fort Willoughby, past Danish and British colonial ruins. The hike up to the fort is followed by a paddle to the Creque Marine Railway, and the trip ends on Garden Beach, where the choice is snorkeling or sunbathing. Other options are available, in shorter or longer timeframes. Mangrove Lagoon www.viecotours.com 877.845.2925
Golfing in the Caribbean comes with challenges, but designing the courses and keeping them lush can be downright daunting. Tom and George Fazio designed this, the first golf course on St. Thomas, and to keep the course green, they called for an 800-head irrigation system that pumps 300,000 gallons of desalinated water onto the 6,000 yards of fairways and greens. To keep things fun for the golfers, they designed the “Devil’s Triangle,” holes 13, 14 and 15, all now known for their water hazards. 1 Mahogany Run North www.mahoganyrungolf.com 340.777.6250
Paradise Point Tramway
The Paradise Point Tramway can get you to the top of Flag Hill, 700 feet above Charlotte Amalie, but what you do once you reach the summit is your call. Most afternoons bring live bands out to play, and, of course, spectacular sunsets are never far behind. The Virgin Islands’ word for relaxing is “limln’,” and this is the perfect place to put the word into practice. 9617 Estate Thomas 340.774.9809
Coral World Marine Park & Observatory
Swim with sea lions, SNUBA or share an encounter with a shark. Cavort with sea turtles; feed stingrays, or perhaps some rainbow lorikeets. If you’ve always wanted to walk on the moon, try the next best thing: Sea Trek. The trek is a guided walk on the ocean floor, with participants wearing diving helmets, gloves and booties. Best of all, non-participating family members can watch from the bottom level of the undersea observatory, making memories for all involved. Coki Point, northeast shore of St. Thomas www.coralworldvi.com 340.775.1555
Fort Christian
Still undergoing historic restoration, Fort Christian is nonetheless a must-see on St. Thomas. The Danes began construction of the site in 1672, and just six years later the French attacked, and were repulsed. For 200 years, the site remained in the hands of the military, its history being one of expansion and change. Today, it stands as a National Historical Landmark and holds the Virgin Islands Museum within. Between Veterans Drive and Emancipation Garden